My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake

is so pretty,

with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to

of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before

that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish

must sing the ‘Happy

close her

blow out

that

Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very

she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet

gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to the

you!” their parents instructed, standing

faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene

finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank you,

continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to

know. Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well

the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since

she turned and headed toward the

she was inside her apartment and about to close

loud slam, the door was propped open by a

head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque

he out on

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door

see you’ve been getting along

took two steps

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

were like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

step he approached her, forcing her back

Rachel had no idea what she

pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged